Description
Sweet winter magic happens when Peppermint Meltaway Cookies crumble delicately on your tongue with cool, minty freshness. Festive holiday treats deliver pure peppermint bliss you cannot resist.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Ingredients:
- 2 cups (250 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (226 grams) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1 cup (240 grams) confectioners sugar
- 1/4 cup (30 grams) cornstarch
Fat and Liquid Ingredients:
- 1 large egg yolk, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) milk or heavy cream
Stabilizers and Enhancers:
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Optional Decorative Ingredients:
- 1–2 drops red or pink food coloring
- Crushed candy canes, for garnish
Instructions
- Create a luxurious butter and sugar mixture by vigorously whipping softened butter with confectioners’ sugar until achieving a silky, aerated texture. Incorporate egg yolk, vanilla, and peppermint extracts, blending thoroughly until harmoniously combined.
- In a separate vessel, meticulously sift and blend flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt. Gradually fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, gently mixing until a soft, slightly tacky dough emerges.
- Encase the delicate dough in protective wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes, allowing the ingredients to settle and flavor to intensify. Chilling is crucial for optimal texture and taste.
- Warm the oven to a precise 350°F. Strategically line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Retrieve chilled dough and delicately form petite spheres, approximately one teaspoon per cookie. Arrange on prepared sheets, gently pressing each ball to promote uniform spreading during baking.
- Bake cookies until edges become golden and set, approximately 11-13 minutes. The centers will appear soft and tender. Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for five minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
- Craft a luxurious frosting by whipping butter until creamy. Gradually integrate confectioners’ sugar, extracts, and milk, beating vigorously for three minutes. Adjust consistency with additional liquid if needed. Optional: introduce a subtle blush with food coloring.
- Once cookies have completely cooled, lavishly coat with prepared frosting. Embellish by sprinkling crushed candy canes, transforming these delicate morsels into festive treats.
Notes
- Chill the dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and ensure a perfectly tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture during baking.
- Measure flour precisely by using the spoon-and-level method to avoid dense, tough cookies that can ruin the delicate peppermint flavor.
- Use high-quality peppermint extract for a more intense and authentic mint taste that elevates the entire cookie experience.
- For gluten-free alternatives, swap wheat flour with a cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend to accommodate different dietary needs without compromising the cookie’s delicate structure.
- Prep Time: 50 minutes
- Cook Time: 13 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 30mg